Gomez inaugurates Kanilai TVET Centre, empowers Gambian youth for future

In a significant stride towards youth empowerment and skills development, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, inaugurated the Kanilai Vocational and Technical Skills Training Center in Foni Kansala on November 27, 2024.

This milestone forms part of the TVET Decentralisation Drive under The Gambia’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023–2027.

The Kanilai TVET Centre, a project worth D2.1 million, is designed to equip Gambian youth with vital skills in welding, fabrication, tailoring, and fashion design. Supported by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the initiative provides cutting-edge training materials for these programs.

In his address, Minister Gomez highlighted the pivotal role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in The Gambia’s socio-economic transformation. “We drive this agenda through the MoHERST Strategic Plan 2021–2025 and the National TVET Policy 2021–2030. Key initiatives include expanding access to TVET nationwide, revising curricula to meet labour market demands, and integrating modern, industry-standard equipment,” he stated.

The Minister emphasized the necessity of fostering human capital and combating youth unemployment through skills training, saying: “Promoting TVET and STEE [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship] is central to curbing illegal migration, creating employment opportunities, and driving private sector growth.”

His Excellency Fahri Turker Oba, Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, expressed pride in his nation’s collaboration, noting that TIKA had invested over D2.1 million in the center’s programs. “This initiative is vital for tackling youth unemployment and equipping our young people with marketable skills,” he remarked.

TIKA Coordinator Sule Bayar elaborated on the organization’s support, saying, “Our aim is to provide the necessary equipment, materials, and supplies to ensure effective skill training in welding and tailoring.”

Further contributions came from the MRC Holland Foundation, which allocated $250,000 to the project. Coordinator Dr. Henrietta Sonko encouraged Gambian youth to embrace determination and self-belief, urging them to pursue skill acquisition for a brighter future.

Highlighting the academic synergy, Professor Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde, Vice Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), lauded the center as a “hub of excellence” that aligns with USET’s mission of delivering diploma, certificate, and degree programs in science, engineering, and technology infused with entrepreneurial skills.

The Kanilai TVET Centre marks a transformative step in decentralizing technical education across The Gambia, empowering youth to embrace innovative careers and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth.